A Texas Pecan Tree

Pecans That Need shelling and Eating.

Perfectly Shelled Pecans - Ready To Enjoy!

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Pecans.

A while back the CEO of Hubpages.com stated something that seemed fearful. The Chinese are buying up all the Scotch Whiskey and all of America's pecans, and this will drive up the prices of both in America.

Waste Not Want Not - is what my Mother always said.

I don't drink Scotch Whiskey, and I don't plan to. I AM a drinker, however, and I drink beer from an aluminum can almost every day that I am able to. I just like to relax, and enjoy the bit of good cheer that light alcohol consumption gives to me.

I CAN'T drink liquor straight - I don't have that ability. It makes me gag.

So suffice it to say that I'm not concerned about the prices or availability of Scotch Liquor in the US or in anyplace. I'm truly sorry should you be an aficionado of Scotch Whiskey. I can feel your pain even should you not be feeling any of it for having enjoyed some.

It's the second thing that gets to me, the thing about the PECANS.

You see, I live in Texas, and the Pecan Tree is the state tree. Texans eat pecans as often or even more often than anyone else does, but they fucking waste pecans like they are of no value. Here in my Kaufman County Texas homeland - there are pecan trees out and about wherever you are - there are so many that most pecans in this county never, EVER get picked up off the ground, and it's only a damned lazy fool that complains about the price or the want of pecans in the stores....and likely has a pecan tree in his neighborhood.

Me? I've got pecans. I've probably got 40 pounds of un-shelled pecans from two years ago. They've been kept dry and in temperate indoors climates, and have lost little if anything in flavor over the past two years. Doesn't much matter, people buy those things to feed hogs, and a bit of a return can be had for them.

The Duke Pecan Nut-shelling Tool.

I consider the Duke pecan sheller the BEST pecan shelling tool on the market. I'll never use a simple hand held sheller again.

The Duke Pecan Nut shelling Tool.

Quite literally, I used to be a particular kind of fool. What kind of fool was I, you ask? Well, I've worn many foolish hats, but unique among them was the fool that used a hand pecan shelling tool. That fool worked too hard for his pecans, and he did so needlessly.

You see, there exists today far superior tools to the hand shelling variety. A man should work, but wiser is he who works smart rather than hard. Friends, let me lay the truth of the matter on the line for you right here and right now, there is no finer pecan shelling tool than the Duke Pecan Nut Shelling Tool.

I've checked the local Ace Hardware store, and they stock the Duke shelling tool, and others based on the same design...which for reasons I can't for the life of me figure, they want more money for. Looking at prices on the web, I say buy the thing online, and I do mean the Duke Pecan Sheller, as amazon has it priced better than the hardware store.

Outside of the Duke Pecan Sheller, with the terrific lever and piston design, the only other tool that one might need for optimum and efficient pecan shelling is a little pocket knife, as sometimes parts of a pecan will be lodged into a fractured shell, and rather unwilling to come free of it easily. The type of knife I use for this, is a little old fashioned Old timer pocketknife. What is needed is a very thin blade, and not a sharp one. In fact, the object used need not actually be a pocketknife at all, I can't, however, think of what else one might have to use outside of an old letter opener or something.

Regarding pecan shells, well, any good batch will leave lots of them, and one shouldn't just throw pecan shells away. Insofar as the family garden here at the Shaw home is concerned, we utilize our pecan shells as garden compost. Now, happy shelling and eating, and thanks all for reading.

That Would Be ME and My Duke Pecan Nut Shelling Tool.

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Comments 9 comments

Wow, Wes -- I thought I was the only one who seriously loves our Texas pecans -- and then there you are! The Duke Sheller is fantabulous -- although I don't own one -- a friend does and cracks my pecans for me (next year I'll have my own!) This is the first year I've had a pecan crop since I've lived in this house -- drought got 'em -- but this year's been a treat. I not only have natives but paper shells -- Stewarts -- and they're a true delight. Fact is, I'm now giving pecans away as I just can't handle anymore -- thanks for telling everyone not only about the Duke Sheller but our marvelous Texas pecans (and yes, I'm prejudiced!) Best/Sis

Wesman Todd Shaw 3 years ago from Kaufman, Texas Author

THANK YOU SIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HECK YEAH!

There are LOTS of Native pecan trees round here, and a few paper shell's too, and ...well, there are more than the owners rightly want...and they are friends of ours...so you can imagine just how that goes!

Also, I know a great grove about a mile and a half away...on a county road, and nobody owns those trees but the county...and the put out LOTS of the small and sweet natives...I grab as many as I can :)

christopheranton 3 years ago from Gillingham Kent. United Kingdom

I have never seen a pecan in my entire life. They are not in the shops here. You however Wesman, seem to be surrounded by millions of them. That gives me another reason to want to visit Texas in the future. Thanks for a very interesting and well written article.

When I look at the picture, they look very like walnuts. Are they related?

Wesman Todd Shaw 3 years ago from Kaufman, Texas Author

Thanks very much, Chris!

I'm really not on the up and up with the Botany to say, really, but pecans are smaller as a rule, than walnuts.

Pecans....well, there are LOTS of diff species of pecan tree, but one bit of fact I won't forget reading is that the pecan is not truly a nut, but is....a fruit.

I don't think many folks will believe that one....but I think I'd read that on a reputable looking site....I might even need to double check.

They don't taste like walnuts at all though! What people love to do with them the most is make pies with them...and those are nearly always terrific!

christopheranton 3 years ago from Gillingham Kent. United Kingdom

I'll have to see if I can get them somewhere.

Evelyn Anne 3 years ago

Our Duke is getting a real workout this year. After the drought of 2011 the pecan trees are producing an exceedingly abundant crop! My dad could crack pecans in his big hands but I rely on the Duke!!

Wesman Todd Shaw 3 years ago from Kaufman, Texas Author

Mrs. Evelyn Anne, uncle Bobby and his next door neighbor have both given you permission to go pick the pecans in their yards!

rasta1 3 years ago from Jamaica

I love a pecan pie, that's the closest I have ever been to pecans. The Chinese are really smart and have a long term plan. I also buy rum for storage in Jamaica because it will be profitable in the next ten years.

Wesman Todd Shaw 3 years ago from Kaufman, Texas Author

Good idea rasta1!!!!

Thing is, where I live...most folks have more pecans than they bother with...tons and tons of the things are just left on the ground....drives me nuts! I say it drives me nuts, but at the same time, even with the nice shelling tool pictured, it's lots of work to shell those things!